Andre Debose quickly grasping new role

When he was recruited out of Seminole High two years ago, Andre Debose was expected to take over for former Gator Percy Harvin – an all-purpose receiver/running back.

But after missing all of last season following hamstring surgery, Debose is now seeing time at the X receiver slot with a lot of on-the-job training.

"It's a very new position to me,’’ he said. “The X is a lot of one-on-one matchups. I'm not involved with the safeties and the linebackers, it's just me and someone pretty much the same size as me, so it's different but I'm enjoying it.’’

Debose said he never hesitated to make the move, adding he'll do anything to help the team. After four weeks of training camp, Debose said he feels like he's ready for what he'll face in the SEC.

"I feel like I've had very good weeks this past few weeks,'' he said. "I've been going against Janoris (Jenkins), so we've been competing, going back and forth. I'm going against the best corner in the SEC all the time, it makes you get better.''

As for his hamstring, Debose said he's completely healed. He undergoes stretching treatments three to four times daily to keep his hamstrings loose, saying "I feel like it's all the way back.''

Last season, every time he came out of the tunnel onto Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, he was on crutches. So nobody will be more excited to run out Saturday than Debose.

"I'm just going to embrace it as it comes,'' he said. "It's coming soon so I don't think too much about it. I walked through (the tunnel) with the crutches. But now that I'm finally playing it's going to be an experience.''

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Florida Gators fans, welcome to the Gator Report for all your news about Gators football, basketball and all UF sports. It's written by University of Florida beat writer Antonya English and the staff of the Tampa Bay Times. We invite your comments and participation.